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I was completely drawn to the man, the longing creating red-hot heat between my legs. Even my nipples were fully aroused. The fact they were pushing against the tight confines of my tee shirt made me furious that I hadn’t worn a bra. What if he noticed me in this condition? He’d certainly have reason to make fun of or chastise me.
Without noticing me, he switched to the weight bench, a tremendous amount already positioned on the thick steel bar. He was determined in his actions, immediately lifting the set of weights over his head and exhaling. A part of me didn’t want to disturb him.
Yet I remained in awe as he continued lifting hundreds of pounds, his biceps glistening from the bright sun coming in through the open wall of doors leading to the pool. While the view was magnificent, it paled in comparison to the work of art only a few feet away. With every lift, his tattoos became animated, increasing the longing to trace every one of them with my tongue.
I allowed my gaze to fall to the thick bulge between his legs, lingering for far too long. I was such a bad girl to be thinking this way.
Only when he rolled the thick metal bar on the holder was the stronghold released. I jumped slightly, finally able to turn around.
But not before he caught me.
“Did you need something, Madisen?”
“Not really.”
“Then why are you here? Did something happen?” His voice was as curt as it had been the night before, but he threw me a heated gaze, allowing it to fall to my bare feet. I suddenly felt very small around him, more vulnerable than ever. He sat up quickly, his actions creating additional tension.
“No, nothing happened. I just thought I’d see if you want a cup of coffee.”Turn around.Don’t be a chicken.Why were my feet frozen to the floor?
Viper said nothing but I was painfully aware that he’d climbed off the bench. When the light breeze floated his scent in my direction, I hid behind the coffee cup, taking a gulp to keep from acknowledging how much it added to my arousal.
“Turn around, Madisen.”
Oh, God. He’d walked closer. Too close. His statement was a command, the deep baritone of his voice filtering tingles all the way to my toes. I did as he ordered, averting my gaze. When he took two long and slow strides in my direction, I almost dropped the mug. In his hand was a towel and he wiped his face. He’d yet to shave, the now three-day stubble just about the sexiest thing I’d seen in a long time.
I backed away involuntarily, which prompted him to move closer. I took another step, so nervous that my hand was shaking, hot liquid threatening to spill on my hand.
“What did you need to say to me?”
Why did his voice have such a strong effect on me, so dark and alluring that my mouth was dry?
Another two backward steps and I hit the wall, a tiny gasp escaping my lips. He dared to move even closer, crowding my space. I tensed every muscle in my body in some crazy attempt to keep him from realizing how much he affected me. I had a feeling given the way his nostrils flared, the rise and fall of his chest, that I was failing miserably.
When he planted his hand on the wall only a few inches from my head, I knew I was going to hyperventilate. “I wanted…”Get a grip on yourself.“I wanted to tell you I was sorry for my behavior and what I said last night. You fought for your country, which is one of the most admirable things anyone could do.” My voice little more than a whisper, I couldn’t look the man in the eyes. I’d never been this nervous in my entire life. “I can’t imagine what you were forced to endure, and it breaks my heart that your friends died. I don’t know what you do with the mafia in New York and it’s none of my business, but whatever it is, they’re lucky to have you.”
He said nothing, not a single word. Oh, God. I’d angered him all over again. Then he gently eased hair from my face before brushing his knuckles across my cheek. “Apology accepted.”
“Good. I’m glad. I’m sorry I interrupted you.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s obvious.”
Wait a minute. I just apologized and he was throwing barbs in my direction? “Whoa. Hold on. I came to apologize because that was the polite thing to do. It changes nothing.”
The way he narrowed his eyes was as powerful as the scent of testosterone and sweat oozing from every pore in his skin. “And what is that?”
“That I hate you.”
He wiped his face with a towel. “Good. You should.”
What an arrogant prick. He’d almost had me fooled the night before.
“At least we agree on something.” When he took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds, I darted a quick glance into his eyes. If I didn’t know better, I’d say the man was going to devour me. That so wasn’t going to happen. “I’ll leave you alone now so you can bask in your beauty.”
When I darted to the right, a hand snagged my arm instantly, yanking me back into position, coffee sloshing over the side of the cup.
